Life, Survival, Death. Repeat.
Tuesday, February 08, 2011
Author:Keri Oberly
Keri Oberly is a visual journalist specializing in documentary photo, video, multimedia, and travel storytelling.
Introduction
Being from a western culture, two main things struck me about the African culture. First, Africans have a strong sense of community and strength. Second, religion not only brings them together but it is the backbone of their life. Nowhere are communities, strength, and religion brought together more, than at funerals.
African funerals not only bring family and friends together, they bring villages together. From the open caskets, to the continuous wailing, to the beautiful singing and praising, African funerals are intense. However, with death comes repercussions. Children are left with other family members or orphanages. With death comes strength and growth. Communities come together to raise a child. Ubuntu, “I am because we are.”
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/ Rombo, Tanzania
A woman carries her cross to morning prayer in Rombo, Tanzania. Religion is a major part of most Tanzanian lives.
Photograph by Keri Oberly / © Keri Oberly. All Rights Reserved.
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/ Rombo, Tanzania
Members of the Mkuu Parish move about before the start of Sunday Mass in Rombo, Tanzania.
Photograph by Keri Oberly / © Keri Oberly. All Rights Reserved.
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/ Rombo, Tanzania
Father Simpliest of Mkuu Parish offers the body of Christ to a member of the church in Rombo, Tanzania. Religion is a major part of most Tanzanian’s lives.
Photograph by Keri Oberly / © Keri Oberly. All Rights Reserved.
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/ Rombo, Tanzania
Congregates of the Mkuu Parish parade on the streets of Mkuu in celebration of The Eucharist in Rombo, Tanzania. Religion is a major part of most Tanzanian’s lives.
Photograph by Keri Oberly / © Keri Oberly. All Rights Reserved.
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/ Rombo, Tanzania
A woman becomes possessed during a church service in Rombo, Tanzania.
Photograph by Keri Oberly / © Keri Oberly. All Rights Reserved.
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/ Rombo, Tanzania
Saying a prayer over the gravesite of a family member and friend in Rombo, Tanzania.
Photograph by Keri Oberly / © Keri Oberly. All Rights Reserved.
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/ Rombo, Tanzania
Family and friends mourn the life of a loved one during the funeral service in Rombo, Tanzania.
Photograph by Keri Oberly / © Keri Oberly. All Rights Reserved.
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/ Rombo, Tanzania
A young orphan looks up after crying in an orphanage in Rombo, Tanzania.
Photograph by Keri Oberly / © Keri Oberly. All Rights Reserved.
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/ Rombo, Tanzania
A young boy carries a folder of his life information, while looking for help at the Tumaini Center, local orphan support center, in Rombo, Tanzania.
Photograph by Keri Oberly / © Keri Oberly. All Rights Reserved.
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/ Rombo, Tanzania
A young girl sweeps her classroom before the start of school in Rombo, Tanzania.
Photograph by Keri Oberly / © Keri Oberly. All Rights Reserved.
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/ Nairobi, Kenya
Young siblings play outside their home in Nairobi, Kenya.
Photograph by Keri Oberly / © Keri Oberly. All Rights Reserved.
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/ Rombo, Tanzania
Two brothers help their mother prepare dinner in Rombo, Tanzania.
Photograph by Keri Oberly / © Keri Oberly. All Rights Reserved.
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Displaying 4 Comments
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Added Fri, Jul 30, 2010 - 12:04 am by TL Bradley
Congrats on the feature. This is wonderful.
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Added Fri, Jul 16, 2010 - 09:28 am by Victor Acquah
One of the goals of African Lens is to serve as a platform of advocacy - for stories that need to be told. This is one of them. Hopefully, this story will generate enough interest to spur more action / help towards the street kids here.
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Added Fri, Jul 02, 2010 - 04:17 am by Thomas
What a beautiful report story !! Congratulation for your job.
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Added Tue, Jun 15, 2010 - 01:02 pm by Marcello
This is an awesome Photo story! Thanks for sharing it, currently only watched the photos, but definitely wanna read it!
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